Patents by Inventor John Gelardi

John Gelardi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8087540
    Abstract: A dispensing container is provided, including an outer casing having an open end, a top, a bottom, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom, and an interior compartment; an inner tray slidably received within the interior compartment of the outer casing and including a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of units of product to be dispensed, and a dispensing trough in communication with the storage compartment, the inner tray extending outwardly from the open end of the outer casing and configured for sliding movement between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position, wherein the dispensing trough includes an aperture sized to allow a single unit of product exit the dispensing trough at one end thereof and a slot at the opposing end thereof, and the outer casing further includes a rib extending into the interior compartment and positioned to enter the slot of the dispensing trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tabacco Company
    Inventors: Ryan A. Bailey, John A. Gelardi
  • Patent number: 8066123
    Abstract: An exemplary lockable package holds a sliding element within a lockable sleeve. The sleeve comprises a base and a top. The base includes a release button defined by a release surround and a hinge that connects the release button to the base. The release button also includes a free end. Pushing inwardly on the release button urges the free end inwardly to disengage a locked sliding element. The sliding element comprises a sliding base, a sliding top, and an article cover that spans the primary containers. For example, the primary containers are pouches that hold consumable articles, such as vitamins, or personal care articles, such as contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: John A. Gelardi
  • Publication number: 20110284543
    Abstract: A container (10) for holding at least one article (32, 132) includes a sleeve (12, 112), a top (16, 116) located at one end of the sleeve (12, 112), and a base (14, 114, 214) located at an opposite end of the sleeve (12, 112). The container (10) includes a locking mechanism (54, 56, 154, 156, 158, 254, 256, 258) that provides means for releasably securing the sleeve (12, 112) to the base (14, 114, 214). A support structure (28, 128, 228) is positioned on the base (14, 114, 214) and includes a recess (44, 144, 244) for receiving an article (32, 132) and an arm (46, 246) that is proximate to the recess (44, 144, 244) and configured to contact the article (32, 132).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Mowery, John Gelardi, David Ladwig, Gary Mankoff
  • Publication number: 20110226765
    Abstract: There is disclosed a packaging apparatus designed to accommodate a plurality of primary packages in a secure child-resistant manner. A plurality of primary packages for storing packaging contents each include at least one aperture. A secondary package houses the plurality of primary packages. A traveler mechanism is coupled with the plurality of primary packages and adapted to fit within the secondary package in a lockable slidable fashion. The traveler mechanism securely retains the plurality of primary packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
    Inventor: John A. Gelardi
  • Patent number: 8020698
    Abstract: Disclosed is a product package which includes a packaging sleeve and a product container. The packaging sleeve has a first end that defines an opening and a closed second end. The sleeve includes at least one pair of locking tabs projecting from the first end, each locking tab including a locking edge and each locking tab being folded inwards into the opening. The product container has a body portion for receiving the product and a rigid end cap which sealingly engages with the body portion so as to house the product. The end cap is dimensioned to fit closely within the opening of the sleeve and includes a peripheral rim that, when the end cap is inserted into the sleeve opening, engages the sleeve end and prevents the end cap from being inserted further into the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Atlas AGI Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: John A. Gelardi
  • Publication number: 20110204074
    Abstract: A container adapted for dispensing a product is provided. The container includes an outer casing body for receiving a dispensing tray. The dispensing tray has an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, and includes a cover portion defining at least one dispensing aperture through which a stored unit of product is accessible when the outer casing body is in a dispensing position. A sealing member is engaged with one of the outer casing body and the dispensing tray, and is configured to interact with the other of the outer casing body and the dispensing tray to form a seal about an outer peripheral portion of the dispensing tray when the outer casing body is in a closed and locked position. The container includes a locking mechanism that releasably locks the outer casing body in the closed and locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Ryan A. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20110186579
    Abstract: A package is provided for housing one or more product items, including a lid (20) with peripheral walls (24) snugly fitting to peripherals walls (44) of a molded housing (40). The walls of the molded housing may flex to improve the sealing of the package. An internal liner (70) may be provided for added product freshness. A display aperture (63) may be provided in the housing for viewing the product items without opening the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan A. Bailey, John A. Gelardi
  • Publication number: 20110168712
    Abstract: The invention provides a dispensing container including an outer casing having an open end, a top, a bottom, sidewalls extending between the top and bottom, and an interior compartment, wherein the outer casing further includes a depressible button in the top or bottom and at least one projection adjacent to the depressible button that extends into the interior compartment; and an inner tray slidably received within the interior compartment of the outer casing. The inner tray includes a first end received within the outer casing, an opposing second end extending outwardly from the outer casing, a flexible locking tab positioned proximal to the first end, and an opening adjacent to the flexible locking tab, the flexible locking tab including a first segment extending toward the second end of the inner tray and a second segment extending transversely from the first segment. The second segment is positioned to engage the projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Ryan A. Bailey, John A. Gelardi
  • Publication number: 20110163156
    Abstract: An inner sleeve having an interior chamber comprised of a bottom panel (12), a top panel (14), a pair of side panels (16,18) and a sealed front end formed by a pair of front closure panels (28, 30) and a pair of front closure flaps (32, 34). A locking flap (36) extends from the opposite end of the bottom panel and can be folded back over the bottom panel such that it will catch when inserted into an outer sleeve. An internal glue flap forms a barrier preventing contents inserted into the inner sleeve from inadvertently slipping out the rear end. A retaining flap (26) extends from the opposite end of the top panel and can be folded inward to create a one way gate that allows a blister pack to be inserted into the interior chamber without allowing it to be withdrawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alyssa Smith, William Bogdziewicz, III, Steve Jones, John A. Gelardi, Marty Jones, Rodney Dixon
  • Publication number: 20110121022
    Abstract: A product dispenser including a frame configured to support a plurality of products and flag element connected to the frame, the flag element being moveable relative to the frame from a first, un-deployed configuration when the flag element is engaged with at least one of the products, to a second, deployed configuration when the flag element is not engaged with the products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew B. Sholl, John Gelardi, Aaron L. Bates, Laurel Thomas, Caleb S. Loftin
  • Publication number: 20110121010
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for dispensing products provided initially in a package. The system includes a frame and an opening tool. The frame has longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections and includes an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided. The opening tool is associated with the frame and is arranged to open the package when the package is moved longitudinally on the upper support deck and relative to the opening tool thereby allowing the products to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Caleb S. Loftin, Aaron L. Bates, Laurel Thomas, Derek King, John A. Gelardi
  • Publication number: 20110121011
    Abstract: A product dispensing system including a dispenser that includes a frame having two opposed side walls and a support surface between the opposed side walls, and a container positioned on the support surface, the container being releasably engaged with the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: John Gelardi, Aaron L. Bates, Laurel Thomas, Caleb S. Loftin
  • Patent number: 7946450
    Abstract: A container for dispensing a product is provided, the container including an outer casing body having a cavity; a dispensing tray adapted for sliding movement within the cavity of the outer casing body between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position, the dispensing tray having an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, a dispensing window, and a stop for engaging the outer casing body to prevent removal of the dispensing tray from the cavity; and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the dispensing tray in the cavity, the locking mechanism including protrusions projecting from the outer casing body into the cavity and positioned adjacent to a moveable flap formed in the outer casing body, and recesses carried by the dispensing tray and positioned to engage the protrusions when the dispensing tray is in the closed and locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Caleb S. Loftin
  • Publication number: 20110114512
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic or paperboard container having an interior chamber, an open end, and a closed end for receiving and securing a relatively flat packaged insert having a cut out area adapted to hook over a catch mechanism. The container comprises a top piece including a locking element and a bowing slit. The container further comprises a bottom piece that may include a guide element. The top piece and the bottom piece are attached to one another to form the container. The locking element and the guiding element are oriented within the interior chamber in such a manner as to cooperate to receive and retain the one or more inserts. The one or more inserts can be released by applying inward pressure on each side of the container causing the top and bottom pieces to bow away from one another thereby releasing the locking elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
    Inventor: John A. Gelardi
  • Publication number: 20110108452
    Abstract: There is disclosed a sleeve package (10,12) having an interior chamber adapted to receive and securely contain a blister pack (13). The blister pack (13) includes at least one retaining hole (14) and a locking hole (9). The sleeve package (10,12) includes a top (10) and a bottom piece (12) snap fitted to form the sleeve package. The top piece (10) further includes a partially cut out tab portion (11) that can be deflected inward from the surface of the top piece (10), a retaining catch mechanism (17) oriented to engage the at least one retaining hole (14) of the blister pack, and a locking post (19) oriented and adapted to engage the locking hole (9). The bottom piece (12) includes raised ribs (15) such that the blister pack (13) is seated on the raised ribs within the interior chamber. The blister pack (13) is locked within the sleeve package (10,12) when the locking hole (9) engages the locking post (19) and unlocked when the cut out tab portion (11) is depressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: MEADWESTVACO CORPORATION
    Inventor: John A. Gelardi
  • Patent number: 7922437
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for dispensing products provided initially in a package. The system includes a frame and an opening tool. The frame has longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections and includes an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided. The opening tool is associated with the frame and is arranged to open the package when the package is moved longitudinally on the upper support deck and relative to the opening tool thereby allowing the products to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Caleb S. Loftin, Aaron L. Bates, Laurel Thomas, Derek King, John Gelardi
  • Patent number: 7891100
    Abstract: A system for opening encased articles has a cutting apparatus that includes a channel formed from spaced-apart parallel walls. A cutting member having a cutting edge extends from one wall into the channel. A protrusion disposed in the channel at least partially overlaps and at least partially obstructs the cutting member. The channel is adapted for receiving the flanged edge of the article and the protrusion is displaceable to expose the cutting edge of the cutting member. A system further has the cutting apparatus juxtaposed with a container for storing at least one encased article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: MeadWestvaco Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, William R Rigby
  • Patent number: D638297
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Ryan A. Bailey
  • Patent number: D639162
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Ryan A. Bailey
  • Patent number: D639163
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: John A. Gelardi, Ryan A. Bailey